PARABLE 9 - The Faithful Servants and Wicked Servants

PARABLE 9 ~ LUKE 12:42-48 ~ THE FAITHFUL AND WICKED SERVANTS  

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

  

Discussion Questions – Parable 9

PARABLE 9 ~ LUKE 12:42-48 ~ THE FAITHFUL AND WICKED SERVANTS  

1. Who are the servants? Only the redeemed? Does this parable apply to everyone?

When Jesus speaks of “servants” is he referring only to those who have been redeemed, born of God, the true believers? Or is it referring to everyone who reckons himself, or is reckoned a servant of God by others, which would include nominal Christians, and even Scribes and Pharisees as being the servant he speaks of?

Luke 12:41 – And Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone {else} as well?” 

In the previous parable (#8 Watchfulness) Peter recognized the general meaning of Jesus’ teaching, but now asks for clarification. He wants to know if this exhortation to be prepared applies to all people or just to the disciples? Jesus answers this by giving another parable (12:42-46), in which it is clearly stated that the consequence for not being prepared is total rejection and dismissal to the place of the unfaithful—and that it applies to everyone. 

2. What about the man who was cut in pieces and assigned a place with the unbelievers? (12:42-44) 

The unwise and wicked servant makes two mistakes. First he says, “I’ll do whatever I want while my master is away,” forgetting that the Day of Judgment must come. Human beings have a habit of having two different attitudes toward God. Sometimes, we remember that God is present, and at others, we may not think of Him at all. Some go about their daily lives without a thought of God coming back at all, and do as they please.

Second, the unwise and wicked servant, says, “I have plenty of time to put things right before the master comes.” How many if asked to come live for God say, “One day I will. I’m just not ready right now.” Nothing may be more harmful than to assume we have more time.

For those of you who call Jesus Lord, and even perhaps hold some position of service or authority in the visible church, but if you don’t actually serve – if you don’t actually treat Jesus as Lord, you will be assigned a place with the unbelievers. For that is what you really are. In the parallel passage (Matthew 24:51) these same are assigned to a place with the hypocrites, just as Jesus said, “Woe to you, teachers of the laws and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” 

There are a number of “Christians” who consider themselves among the religious elite, yet abuse the servants of Christ even slandering them and teaching false things and who abuse the resources God has entrusted to them for the purpose of satisfying their own personal passions and ambitions. They will not escape condemnation.

There are two extremes of these people. The ones beating the servants represent the legalists. They may be more likened to the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ times. Then there are those who eat, drink, and get drunk. These represent the lawless Christians – who go on to live a lifestyle of sin.

These are both speaking of “nominal” Christians – those who associate themselves with the visible church, but have not been born of God, not having the quality of faith that saves. They will be cut to pieces and assigned to the same place as an unbeliever (verse 12:46).

One’s assurance of salvation should not be overly presumptuous about whether one has been born of God. We base our assurance of our justification upon the atoning work of Christ alone. But to be qualified to receive such justification, we have to have a faith of quality acceptable to God. We base our assurance that we have been born of God upon our performance. As it is written: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:9-10) And in particular, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” (1 John 2:3)

3. What is the reward for service mentioned here? 

What is God’s reward for a job well done? God will give them more responsibilities. What! I thought that we enter His rest! What’s this about more responsibilities? Just as the wife in the marriage relationship was made to serve her husband, so we were made to serve God. Of course in this age of self-centered pleasure seeking and rebelliousness, many Christians have lost perspective both on the purpose of many of the basic role relationships and even concerning their relationship with Christ. Many accept Christ as Savior only, but only as some type of servant, whose sole purpose is to serve them. The fact that Christ is Lord has escaped many a “Christian” in practice.

The more responsibilities we have, the more we will be held responsible for. On the positive side, the more responsibilities, the greater the potential reward. But then again, the more the potential punishment.

5. The parable identifies four kinds of servants:
a) One who knows what he should do, and does the right thing.
b) One who knows what he should do, but does the wrong thing.
c) One who knows what he should do, but doesn’t do anything.
d) One who does not know what he should do, and does the wrong thing 

What is the fate of each of them? Which one do you identify with? 

Let’s consider each of these. We’ve already looked at the one who knows what he should do and does the right thing. He gets rewarded with more responsibilities and blessings. Jesus repeats this logic again in the second part of the last verse when he says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” When Jesus says something twice in a few minutes, what does that mean? Pay attention! This is important. He’s saying, “learn the right thing to do—and DO it!” 

Okay, so now what if you know what you should do but deliberately decide to do the wrong thing? In this parable that meant beating the other servants, feasting on the master’s food and getting drunk. What happened then? 

Luke 12:46 – the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect {him,} and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and will banish him with the unbelievers. 

And the one who knows what he should do, but does nothing? What happens then? This clearly indicates the administration of a more severe punishment upon the one who is openly and obviously rebellious against God. 

The final word: Luke 12:48 – And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. 

When Jesus returns, all who have trusted in Him, and done His will, will be gathered out of the earth, taken to heaven, and enter into eternal fellowship with Jesus and other believers and into everlasting peace. “And the world will pass away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God will live forever.” (1 John 2:17)

6. Over what has God give you stewardship (you, personally)? What do you think God wants you to do with it (be specific)? How would God evaluate the job you’re doing? How can you improve the job you’re doing? 

The parable of the faithful and wicked servants admonishes us to be faithful and wise in carrying out responsibilities and relationships with our fellow servants, our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

Since this parable applies to everyone, Christ admonishes us to lead in a way that unites and inspire others to be faithful. We do this by giving them the truth, a good example, and encouragement. In this way, we become wise and faithful stewards of the trust God has given us.

God gives us resources such as finances and time, talents such as culinary skills or musical ability, and spiritual gifts such as encouragement or teaching. We should ask God for wisdom on how to use those resources and commit ourselves to expending them according to His will so that He may be glorified. In regards to spiritual gifts, Paul said, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6–8). This is simply responsible stewardship.

Don’t take positions of service lightly. If you call Jesus Lord, treat Him that way. Don’t be presumptuous about your salvation status if your behavior is inconsistent with that expected from one born of God. Rather, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5) In summary, whoever is entrusted with duties must perform them faithfully, prepared at all times to account for what he has done. The key words in this parable are faithful, wise, and ready!

Are you a wise, true, and faithful servant that has made yourself ready? Are you born again as Jesus and the apostles taught? Then please visit my blog and read “Plan of Salvation”.

The Faithful and Wicked Servants Poem

It will be good for that servant whom the Lord puts in charge 

Of his fellow servants, His reward will be large 

If he carries out his duties a reward he will earn 

When the master finds him doing so after his return 

He will give him charge of all his possessions. 

But concerning his return, suppose the servant questions 

"My master is taking a long time to come", 

He then beats servants and abuses some 

He becomes legalistic or perhaps even lawless 

His performance is to say the least far from flawless 

The master of that servant will come when he does not expect 

Even though that servant may think he's one of the elect 

He'll be cut in pieces and assigned a place 

With the unbelievers, rather than in God's grace 

If he does not act, though the master's will he knows 

He will then be beaten and that with many blows. 

And those who do not know, though behaving bad 

Will be beaten less than his fellow comrade 

From those given much, much will be demanded 

So act responsibly or else be reprimanded